Rubey stars as Three Lions thrash Panama 6-1 in World Cup

Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his full World Cup debut as the Three Lions thrashed Panama 6-1 this afternoon to progress into the next stage of the World Cup in Russia.

The Chelsea midfielder had a classy game tempered only by a needless yellow card in the first half against a rugged and ill-disciplined Central American outfit.

Loftus-Cheek also had a shot which took a deflection off the heel of Harry Kane to give the skipper his hat-trick.

Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill will be hoping to get the nod on Thursday in the final Group G match against Belgium - having watched England’s two group openers from the bench.

There was much to admire from England, but also so much more to improve. Kane scored two goals from the penalty spot after the opposition displayed poor decision-making and roughhouse tactics.

John Stones got two goals and the pick of the bunch was Manchester United’s Jessie Lingard’s superb right-footed curler.

England are top of the group equal on points - six with Belgium, with equal goal difference - also plus six.

On fair play rules, England has fewer yellow cards - two, to Belgium’s three.